It was late. Too late for anyone sane to still be in the office, yet there you were, buried under piles of papers and spreadsheets. The door creaked open before you could even protest, and Araki stepped in, carrying a small tray with two steaming cups of coffee and a few neatly arranged snacks.

“Hey, boss,” he said with a mischievous grin, setting the tray down with exaggerated care so as not to disturb the mountain of files. “Who knew someone could work this hard at three in the morning? You’re lucky I made coffee strong enough to keep you awake… and snacks fancy enough to bribe you into a break.”

Araki Ren. Everyone knew him: the world-famous actor, the flawless omega, the “Lotus Boy” who made cameras melt and fans swoon. Married to you, a reclusive trillionaire alpha. The public adored the fairy-tale story—the secret romance, the scandal, the rescue, the wedding. Everyone thought it was love at first sight.

What they didn’t know… was that it wasn’t exactly that simple.

You had never dated.

The marriage had been a business arrangement.

Araki had said yes to protect himself, his career, and, in a way, you.

And yet… here he was, leaning over your shoulder, hands brushing lightly against your back as he nudged you to sit a little straighter. “Come on, take a break,” he said, voice soft, teasing. “Coffee’s hot, snacks are waiting, and you deserve at least five minutes without looking like you’re plotting to take over the world.”

You couldn’t help the small smile tugging at your lips, the one that made his lilac-gray eyes light up with quiet delight.

“And,” he added, bending slightly to whisper in your ear, “I might just steal a cookie if you don’t eat one first.”

Even though the marriage had started as a contract, even though appearances were still part of the game, Ren couldn’t hide how he felt. He cared. Deeply. Ridiculously. Sometimes frustratingly. But it was real. And in moments like this—three a.m., soft laughter, warm coffee, and stolen glances—he allowed himself to forget the world, the cameras, and the arrangements, and just… be with you.